The recent arrest of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on suspicion of espionage has triggered investigations into her visits to religious sites in India, specifically the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. These investigations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened security concerns and allegations of Malhotra's potential links to Pakistani intelligence.
Malhotra's visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain in April of last year prompted a team of five Madhya Pradesh police personnel to travel to Haryana to question her. Authorities were particularly interested in this visit because the Mahakaleshwar Temple is a highly sensitive location with a large number of daily visitors, including devotees from overseas. Despite the questioning, Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nitesh Bhargava stated that nothing incriminating was discovered regarding her temple visit. He emphasized that the questioning was a precautionary measure, stating, "What was the harm in it?" Police noted that Malhotra had shared photos and videos on social media documenting her visit. However, discrepancies in her documented journey, specifically the lack of footage showing her actually visiting the temple despite videos of her arrival in Ujjain, raised suspicions. Police investigated whether she recorded additional videos that were shared privately or on other platforms.
In a separate but related development, authorities are also scrutinizing allegations that Malhotra flew a drone over the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri during a visit in September 2024, which is a strict no-fly zone. The Odisha government is considering installing an anti-drone system to bolster security at the temple and prevent unauthorized or "malicious" UAVs from entering the airspace. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan mentioned that the government is exploring the feasibility of deploying such a system, similar to those used by defense establishments, for added security. Singhadwar police station in Puri has registered at least 15 cases of unauthorized drone use above the Jagannath Temple in the past three years.
Puri police are also examining the financial transactions of Priyanka Senapati, a local YouTuber who escorted Malhotra around Puri during her visit to Odisha. Investigators are looking into a possible connection between Malhotra and a Pakistani high commission official, Danish, who was expelled from India on May 13 for allegedly engaging in espionage. Malhotra had allegedly been in contact with Danish from November 2023 to March 2025. Puri SP Vinit Agrawal confirmed that the drone incident and the financial transactions of Senapati and her family members are being verified.
These incidents have prompted increased scrutiny of security protocols at major religious sites and highlight the potential misuse of social media and travel vlogging for espionage purposes. The investigations are ongoing, with state and central agencies collaborating with Haryana police to uncover the full extent of Malhotra's activities and connections.
